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Kirstin Downey: Recovering From Maui’s Tree Apocalypse Kirstin Downey/Civil Beat/2024

Kirstin Downey: Recovering From Maui’s Tree Apocalypse

A nonprofit has been delivering new trees to property owners whose greenery was destroyed in the fires that burned in Upcountry and Lahaina.

Kirstin Downey: Buried At Punchbowl For 40 Years, Her Family Wants Her Home Kirstin Downey/Civil Beat/2024

Kirstin Downey: Buried At Punchbowl For 40 Years, Her Family Wants Her Home

The man who murdered Lindsay Tyson remains her legal next of kin. Now a federal judge will decide if her brothers have legal rights to her remains.

Neal Milner: Illegal Fireworks Won’t Stop Until Neighbors Take Action AP Photo/Marco Garcia/2025

Neal Milner: Illegal Fireworks Won’t Stop Until Neighbors Take Action

Tougher laws won’t do the trick. It’s time to approach fireworks the same way we do public health education.

Danny De Gracia: People Won’t Obey Fireworks Laws Unless They’re Enforced AP Photo/Marco Garcia/2025

Danny De Gracia: People Won’t Obey Fireworks Laws Unless They’re Enforced

If we want to prevent the use of illegal fireworks, we have to give the city tools to lay down the law. That means more funding, arrests and timely court processing of cases.

Kirstin Downey: ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Depends On Postal Service For More Than Mail Voting KuÊ»u Kauanoe/Civil Beat/2020

Kirstin Downey: ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Depends On Postal Service For More Than Mail Voting

A lost ballot is annoying enough, but perhaps our elections are too intertwined with a service that could end up being privatized.

Neal Milner: The Pope Has A Message For Lahaina — Don’t Give Up Nathan Eagle/Civil Beat/2023

Neal Milner: The Pope Has A Message For Lahaina — Don’t Give Up

A new long-term plan to rebuild Lahaina is likely going to change. Residents need to be persistent and flexible.

Beth Fukumoto: 6 Ways Legislators Can Make Life Better In ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾± Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022

Beth Fukumoto: 6 Ways Legislators Can Make Life Better In ±á²¹·É²¹¾±Ê»¾±

Sitting on a budget surplus, lawmakers need to make some down-payments on these initiatives.

Update From The Editor: ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ’s Ambitious Plans For 2025

Update From The Editor: ÌìÃÀÊÓƵ’s Ambitious Plans For 2025

Looking forward begins with looking back — and by any measure 2024 was a stellar year for our newsroom. Here’s a glimpse into some of our exciting initiatives for the year ahead.

Danny De Gracia: News Media Has A Responsibility In Lawmaking And Democracy Nick Grube/Civil Beat/2021

Danny De Gracia: News Media Has A Responsibility In Lawmaking And Democracy

It’s not just our elected officials who need to shape up. Journalists frustrate democracy when they don’t provide details on how to take civic action.